Pumping apparatus



Patented Aug. 23, 1938 UNITED STATES PUMPING APPARATUS I Win w. Paget, Michigan City, Ina, assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 2'7, 1936, Serial No. 92,749

18 Olaims.- -(o1. a o-'25) and more particularly to devices for effecting a discontinuation of the delivery of fluid by said pumping apparatus without interrupting the drive of the latter. ,7

An object of my invention is to provide an improved pumping apparatus. Anotherv object of my invention is to provide an improved unloading'mechanism for a pumping apparatus. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved unloading mechanism cooperating with a divided intake and effective to cause partial or complete unloading as conditions may require. Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved intake-closure divided-intake type of unloading apparatus which shall possess marked advantages in compactness, readinessof assembly and simplicity. Yet another object of my invention is to provide a multiple-valve, intake-closure unloading apparatus having improved operating devices for the several valves thereof. Other objects and advantages of my invention will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing in which for purposes of illustration one illustrative embodiment of my invention is shown,

Fig. 1 is a view partially in side elevation, but mainly in section, showing a compressor cylinder, unloading means associated therewith, and

" means for receiving pumped fluid therefrom.-

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on a somewhat enlarged scale through the unloader mechanism in completely open (loading) position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing one of the divided-intake-controlling valves closed.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing both of the divided-intake-cohtrolling valves closed.

Referring to the drawing, it will be noted that a compressor generally designated 1 and herein 46! shown as of a single cylinder type, has a cylinder 2 in whose bore 3 a piston 4 is reciprocable. Said cylinder is provided with appropriate discharge valve mechanisms 5 and appropriate inlet valve mechanisms 6. The air compressed and discharged by the compressor is delivered through a connection 1 to a receiver 8. The compressor intake is divided, as by an appropriate partition it, 'to provide separate intake passages H and I2 leading respectively to the head end and to the crank end of the compressor. Spaces l3 and M are formed in the head-end cylinder head i 5 and in the crank-end cylinder head [5 respectively, and passage ll communicates with space l3 and passage I2 with space I4. Suitably secured to the intake connection of the compressor, herein My invention relates to pumping apparatus,

formed integrally therewith in the main, is an intake closure and controlling apparatus generally designated 20 and comprising a body 2| and having heads 22'and 23 associated therewith and secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by screws 24. The head 23 has a primary intake connection 25 secured thereto and capable of being differently positioned in accordance with the desired direction from which the intake is to be effected. The partition in extends completelythrough the body 2 l, except where said partition is cut away to form a bore 21, and at the opposite sides of the flange and surrounding the bore 21 are valve seats 28 and 29. Coaxial with the bore 27 and respectively herein adjacent the upper and lower ends of the body 2| are circular bores 3|] and 3|, and these bores are slightly larger than the bore 21. The heads 22 and 23 are each provided with a cylindrical bore, these being respectvely designated 32 and 33 and being coaxial with the bores 21, 30, and 3! when the heads22 and 23 are arranged in assembled relation to the body 2|. The head 22 has a reduced extension 35 in which a considerably elongated bore 36 is formed, this bore serving a purpose which will shortly be described. A circular valve element 38 is provided with a main front cylindrical body portion 39 fitting the bore 30 and with a larger head portion 40 which is a loose fit for the bore 33. The valve 38 comprises, in addition to its body portion, which is open from end to end, a series of radially extending ribs or arms 42 united with and supporting in central position within the valve 38 a hub-like element 43 within which there is mounted along rod 44 rigidly held by a shoulder 45 and a nut 46 to the hub portion 43, in a bore 41 in which the upper end of the rod 44 makes a drive fit. The rod 44 at its lower end supports a piston 48 which is slidable in the bore 36; previously mentioned, andwhich is provided with a cup packing 49 which permits the passage of fluid pressure from the space 50 adjacent the head of the reduced extension 35 upwardly, but precludes reverse flow of fluid. l

The valve member 38 controls the admission of fluid to they passage II, as will later be described, and another valve element 52 is provided to control the admission of fluid to the passage 12. Both of these valves are herein of the double-seat type. Valve 52 comprises coaxial cylindrical portions or pistons 53, fitting the bore 36, and 54, fitting the bore 3|; and these cylindrical portions 53 and 54 are connected by perforated flange or webportions 55. A slightly enlarged flange 56 corresponding-to the flange portion it of the valve element 38 is formed on the lower end of the cylindrical portion 54 of the valve 52; and it will be noted that the fiange 56 is adapted to seat upon a beveled annular seat Ell surrounding the lower end of the bore 31, while the flange Gil is adapted to seat upon a beveled annular seat 58 surrounding the bore 3@ at the upper end of the latter. The portion 53, which is substantial fit for the bore 3%, isprovided with a double or U-shaped packing 59 whose outer portion provides a seal about the wall of the bore 36, while its inner portion provides a seal at the periphery of the rod 44. A spring 6% extends between a shoulder M on the hub 43 and a shoulder 62 on the valve member 52; A pressure fluid supply and vent passage 655 communicates with the space 50, and a pressure fluid supply, and vent passage 85 communicates with the bore 3'6 at a point which is covered by neither the packing nor by the packing 59 in any relative positions of these packings within the bore 36, and is at all times between the positions occupied by said packings.

Various modes of supplying and venting fluid through the passages 65 and 56 may be resorted to. The supply of pressure through 65 while Gil is maintained closed will close valve 52, this occurring because in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 2 movement of the valve 38 is impossible by pressure admitted to space 50, and pressure admitted to space at will pass the packing 49 and act upon the end of the piston 53 and move the valve 52 to closed position. After valve 52 has been closed, pressure may be admitted through 66; and this pressure, since piston 53 can move no further, will effect no movement of valve 52 but will act upon the plunger or piston Q8 and move the valve 38 to closed position provided the connection 65 is vented. Accordingly, the provision of any suitable valve mechanism first admitting to 55, and then admitting to 65 while venting 65, will effect first a partial and then a complete unloading, and when 66 is again vented,

complete reloading will take place.

If pressure be admitted directly through 66 when both valve 52 and valve3B are unseated,

there will be concurrent closure of these. valves.

It is also possible to effect completed control, first by supplying pressure through 55, thereby effecting closure of valve 52, and then venting the pressure supply through 65 from the chamber 50, with the result that the pressure between pistons 53 and 48 will effect closure of valve 38. To effect reloading, passage 66 will then have to be used to vent the pressure between the pistons 38 and 53 to atmosphere. It is obviously unnecessary to illustrate systems of control valves for accomplishing the several functions described, as any skilled designer, or selector of commercial devices already available, can readily select combinations of pressure-responsive pilot valves, or arrange electrically actuated valves under pressure switch control to effect the functions mentioned.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, in a pumping mechanism,

' I a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of said cylinder, and pump unloading mechanism for efiecting partial or total unloading comprising means providing a partition separating said passages, said partition having an opening communicating with both passages and said opening surrounded at the opposite sides of said partition by valve seats, and separate coaxial valves respectively separately controlling said passages and approaching each other on closing move- :ment and movable to seat on said seats, and a fluid passage communicable with said passages and'controlled by said valves.

2. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of said cylinder, and separate coaxial valves respectively separately controlling said passages, one of said valves having a passage therethrough through which the fluid for both of the passages leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder passes.

3. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of said cylinder, separate coaxial valves respectively separately controlling said passages and having opposite directions of closing movement, and operating means for said valves for effecting successive closure of the latter including an element common to the operation of both valves.

, 4. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a

pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of said cylinder, and means for controlling said passages to provide partial or total unloading including separate coaxial valves respectively separately controlling said passages and having primary operating members both arranged at the same end of one of said valves.

5. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of said cylinder, and separate coaxial valves re spectively separately controlling said passages and having primary operating members both arranged at the end of onev of said valves which is remote from the other of said valves.

6. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of said cylinder, separate coaxial valves respectively separately controlling said passages, means for resiliently pressing said valves in opposite directions to maintain the same normally open, coaxial operating pistons for said valves, and means for effecting successive closure of said valves in a definite sequence embodying means for delivering an operating medium between said pistons to effect closure of both of said valves.

'7. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a double-acting pump cylinder having inlet valves and separate intake passages leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder, separate control valves for said passages, and means for controlling said eontrol valves to provide partial or total unloading including operating means for said control valves having a common pressure chamber.

8. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having separate intake passages, separate control valves for said passages, and means. for controlling said valves to provide partial or total unloading including operating means for said valves for effecting successive closure of the latter in a definite sequence, said operating means including a cylinder containing pistons individual to each of said valves. 1

9. In combination, in a 'pumpingmechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of said cylinder, and separate coaxial valves respectively separately controlling said passages and respectively nearer the opposite cylinder ends,

one of said valves having a passage therethrough through which the fluid for both of said intake passages passes.

10. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of said cylinder, and separate coaxial valves respectively separately controlling said passages and respectively nearer the opposite cylinder ends, the valve controlling the flow of fluid to one of said intake passages having a passageway therethrough through which the fluid flowing to the other of said intake passages passes.

11. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder, and pump unloading mechanism for effecting partial or total unloading comprising a fluid passage, valves, one individual to each intake passage, for controlling flu d flow from said fluid passage through said intake passages, one of said valves having a passageway therethrough through which fluid passes from said fluid passage to both of said intake passages when both valves are open, and operating means for said valves automatically effective first to close the other of said valves to effect partial unloading and thereafter to close said passageway-providing valve to effect total unloading.

12. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder, and pump unloading mechanism for effecting partial or total unloading comprising valves, one individual to each passage,

' for controlling fluid flow through said passages,

and operating means for said valves automatically effective first to close one valve to effect partial unloading and thereafter to close said other valve to effect total unloading, said valve operating means including fluid actuated valveactuating members, one member connected to each valve and both arranged at the same end of one of said valves.

13. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder, and pump unloading mechanism for effecting partial or total unloading comprising valves, one individual to each passage, for controlling fluid flow through said passages, and operating means for said valves. automatically effective first to close one valve to effect partial unloading and thereafter to close said other valve to effect total unloading, said operating means including fluid actuated pistons, one connected to each valve, and a cylinder containing both pistons.

14. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder, and pump unloading mechanism for effecting partial or total unloading comprising valves, one individual to each passage, for controlling fluid flow through said passages, and operating means for said valves automatically effective ina definite sequence first to close one valve to effect partial unloading and thereafter to close said other valve to eifect total unloading, said operating means, including fluid actuated pistons, one connected to each valve, and a cylinder containing both pistons, and passage means for conducting fluid to the space in said cylinder between said pistons to act on the adjacent pressure areas of said pistons, and to one end of said cylinder to act on an opposed pressure'area of one piston.

15. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder, and pump unloading mechanism for effecting partial or total unloading comprising a casing divided into two chambers separated by a partition, said separate passages communicating with said chambers respectively, said partition having an opening for connecting said chambers in communication with one another and said opening surrounded by valve seats, valves arranged in said casing, one individual to each passage, for controlling fluid flow through said chambers to said passages, said valves adapted to seat on said seats to cut off communication of said opening with said chambers, and operating means for said valves automatically effective to seat one valve to effect partial unloading or to seat both valves to efiect total unloading.

16. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder, and pump unloading mechanism for effecting partial or total unloading comprising means providing a pair of outer chambers respectively communicating with said passages and an inner fluid supply chamber communicable with said outer chambers, portions of the walls separating the outer chambers from said inner chamber being movable, and means for effecting movement of one of said movable separating-wall-portions to connect one of said outer chambers with said inner chamber to effect partial loading or of both wall portions to connect both of said outer chambers with said inner chamber to effect full loading, said movable wall portions also being movable to cut off completely communication of said outer chambers with said inner chamber.

17. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake providing separate passages leading to the opposite ends of the cylinder, and pump unloading mechanism for effecting partial or total unloading comprising means providing a pair of outer chambers respectively communicating with said passages and an inner fluid supply chamber communicable with said outer chambers, portions of the walls separating the outer chambers from said inner chamber being movable, and means for effecting movement of one of said movable separating-wall-portions to connect one of said outer chambers with said inner chamber to eifect partial loading or of both wall portions to connect both of said outer chambers with said inner chamber to effect full loading, said movable wall portions also being movable to cut off completely communication of said outer chambers with said inner chamber, one of said movable wall portions having a passageway therethrough through which fluid passes during flow from said inner chamber toboth of said outer chambers.

18. In combination, in a pumping mechanism, a pump cylinder having a divided intake provida fluid passage communicable with said passages and having its communication with the latter controlled by said valves, one of said valves when open connecting said fluid passage with one of said intake passages and the other of said valves when open connecting said other intake passage with said fluid passage, the fluid flowing to one of said intake passages through said partition opening.

WIN W. PAGET. 

